Department of Medical Assistance Services; state pharmacy benefits manager; independent evaluation; report. Requires the Department of Medical Assistance Services by December 31, 2027, to select and contract with a third-party administrator to serve as the state pharmacy benefits manager to administer all pharmacy benefits for Medicaid recipients, including recipients enrolled in a managed care organization. The bill enumerates requirements for the Department's contract with the state pharmacy benefits manager. The bill's contract requirement has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027, provided that the Department receives the necessary approval or federal financial participation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In addition, the bill directs the Department to engage an independent consultant to evaluate the possible implementation of a contract with a third-party pharmacy benefits manager pursuant to the bill and to report its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committees on Appropriations and Health and Human Services and the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and Education and Health by December 15, 2025. This bill incorporates HB 2209.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 32.1-325
Health and Human Services Substitute : 32.1-325
Appropriations Substitute: 32.1-325
Education and Health Substitute: 32.1-325
Education and Health Subcommittee Substitute: 32.1-325
HHS Sub: Social Services Substitute: 32.1-325